There was a time when Barcelona fans did not expect success. To wallow in pessimism was the accepted norm. Trophies? Titles? They were for others, usually the reserve of the grandiose club of the capital, Real Madrid.
She's faced death threats, violence and depression, but the former captain of Afghanistan's women's football team Khalida Popal refuses to be silenced.
If Manchester City used to be the club boasting high-profile signings on provocative billboards, these days this northern English city's "noisy neighbor" is taking a more softly, softly approach.
It could be one of the feel-good stories of Rio 2016 -- a tiny island nation triumphs on the world's biggest sporting stage to win its first Olympic medal.
He lives life in the fast lane as a veteran Formula One driver, but Fernando Alonso's first wheels were world's apart from the rocketships he calls his office.
Wayde van Niekerk came within a whisker of completing the 200m and 400m double at the World Athletics Championships but it looks like that's as close as he will ever get.